Remembering the last time Aston Villa played Leeds United

This Saturday will see the first fixture between Leeds United and Aston Villa since the 7th of February, 2004. It will also be just the third time that they have met outside of English football’s top flight.

So let’s take a look back at the last time these two sleeping giants met.

In front of a crowd of nearly 40,000 at Villa Park, it was the visitors that came agonisingly close to taking the lead, as future-Villa man James Milner headed Gary Kelly’s cross onto the post. Shortly after, Villa went just as close at the other end, when Lee Hendrie’s curling effort struck the crossbar.

Noberto Solano almost marked his home debut with a goal, but his header was spectacularly tipped onto the crossbar by Leeds’ keeper Paul Robinson.

The hosts did eventually find their breakthrough when Didier Domi brought down Darius Vassell for a Villa penalty. Juan Pablo Angel stepped up and sent Robinson the wrong way to put David O’Leary’s side ahead.

Midway through the second half, Villa wrapped up the points as substitute Ronney Johnsen headed home Solano’s excellent free-kick.

The win saw Villa move up to 8th in the league – just five points short of the European places. Meanwhile, things were still looking bleak for Eddie Gay’s Leeds side, who remained bottom of the league after their seventh successive defeat.

James Prestridge

I am a football and film writer based in Watford but I can often be found with my head in hands at The Hawthorns. I have a passion for football at all levels and regularly attend games across the country.